Another great week of fishing with some limit or near limit catches of salmon steelhead and lake trout. For example, Friday we caught 17 fish, Saturday we caught 18 fish and on Sunday (in 4 to 6 foot seas) we caught 8. The salmon are running close to 20 pounds and the lake trout are pushing 15 pounds. Fishing the 80 to 95 foot depth continues to produce some very good catches, however, there were some nice silver fish caught out in 120 to 140 foot of water.
The steelheads are coming on Silver Horde plugs (green speckle back and silver red head) on the 150 foot and 200 foot copper lines. The best combination for salmon continues to be the Pro Troll flashers (blue bubble white blade, blue bubble silver blade and mix veggie) and the Rapture Oceana and Oceana Tuli flies. This fly/flasher combination continues to produce multiple times during a trip. The Dipsy Divers were producing with Gold Star metal flashers and white/glow and green/chartreuse spin n glos. The high divers … [Read more...]

Capt. Ron Westrate, Director SLM, reports from First Call ll .
More Silver Fish in the Creel
Another very good week of fishing out of Saugatuck with creel numbers in the teens and a higher number of silver fish in the mix. Fishing in the 80 to 100 foot depth as produced consistent lake trout limits and 4 to 7 steelhead and Chinook salmon in the catch.
The lake trout are still being caught with metal dodgers and spin n glos (glow white, double trouble and green/yellow) on wire divers and downriggers. The steelhead are being caught on stingray UV mixed veggie and orange crush spoons pulled on 100 and 150 foot of copper. The Chinook salmon are coming on Pro Troll flashers with Rapture flies. The best combinations are blue bubble flasher with the Oceana UV fly, UV mixed veggie with the Green No See Um fly and a chartrouse/glow flasher with the Frosted Fern fly. These are being pulled on 250, 300 and 350 foot of copper.
Perch fishing out of … [Read more...]

Capt. Ron Westrate, Director SLM, reports from First Call ll .
More Silver Fish in the Creel
Another very good week of fishing out of Saugatuck with creel numbers in the teens and a higher number of silver fish in the mix. Fishing in the 80 to 100 foot depth as produced consistent lake trout limits and 4 to 7 steelhead and Chinook salmon in the catch.
The lake trout are still being caught with metal dodgers and spin n glos (glow white, double trouble and green/yellow) on wire divers and downriggers. The steelhead are being caught on stingray UV mixed veggie and orange crush spoons pulled on 100 and 150 foot of copper. The Chinook salmon are coming on Pro Troll flashers with Rapture flies. The best combinations are blue bubble flasher with the Oceana UV fly, UV mixed veggie with the Green No See Um fly and a chartrouse/glow flasher with the Frosted Fern fly. These are being pulled on 250, 300 and 350 foot of copper.
Perch fishing out of … [Read more...]

This past week was another week of predominate lake trout creels with occasional steelhead or salmon mixed in. Creel numbers ranged from 10 to 20 fish per trip and ther size of the fish averaged 9 to 12 pounds. During the early and mid week, there were some very nice steelhead and salmon catches in 25 foot of water, however the water has warmed and the fish moved out.
The methods used were unchanged from last week with metal dodgers and spin n glos on the bottom and flashers and flies on 200 and 300 copper for the silver fish.
Early in the week the pier fishermen were catching steelhead with shrimp under a bobber. Perch fishing was very spotty with some catches early in the week 7 miles south of the harbor and some catches in the edge of the river water mid week.
For more information or to make a fishing charter reservation, email me at captron@chartermichigan.com.
This past week was another week of predominate lake trout creels with occasional … [Read more...]

Director SLM Captain Ron Westrate From First Call 2 Charters reports from Saugatuck:
This past week was a strange week for fishing on Lake Michigan, with a catch of 12 fish on the beginning of the week and then 3 fish the next couple of trips and then 9 and 10 fish by the end of the week. The lake did cool off with 43 degree water in front of the piers and 47 degree water on the surface and 41 degree water on the bottom in 70 foot of water. We did fish in front of the piers for part of two days and caught some nice salmon and steelhead, however, most of our time was spent in 70 to 90 foot of water. This past week we caught steelhead over 11 pounds, Chinook salmon 19 pounds and lake trout over 12 pounds.
When we fished in front of the piers, we caught salmon and steelhead on small orange and orange and green stingers behind 3 color and 30 and 75 foot of copper line. Off shore we fished the same way we have been the last week with metal dodgers and spin n glos on the bottom … [Read more...]

Capt. Ron Westrate, Director SLM, reports from First Call ll .
This was a week of change with some strong north winds for two days blowing in cold water. The water temperature changed from 63 degrees one day to 47 degrees the next and as a result some of the salmon and steelhead moved in front the piers where the bait schooled. During the July 4th weekend you could fish in 90 foot of water and catch lake trout and some salmon or you could fish in 20 foot of water and catch some salmon and steelhead. Either place produced creel numbers of 10 to 15 fish per trip. By Sunday, the bite in side slowed and most boats moved off shore.
The fishing in the deeper water is producing with the same lures and combinations that I listed in the last couple of reports.
In front the piers the fish were hitting small orange and orange combination stingers on 2, 3 and 5 color leadcore. In addition the dipsy divers at 40 and 60 foot with Stingray lures produced some nice salmon.
There are … [Read more...]

Another good week of fishing, however a little slower than the past few weeks with our creel numbers ranged from 8 to 14 with salmon increasing in appearance each week. We have had two to four salmon on each of the trips this past week and they are weighing in about 12 pounds. We are fishing in 90 to 100 foot of water; however there have been good catches out to 125 foot of water. Our creel is still dominated by lake trout, however, we are seeing more alewife in the stomach of the lake trout (instead of gobies) and this should bring in more Chinook salmon.
The method is still metal dodgers and spin n glos on the bottom for the lake trout. The best color combinations are tin can Gold Star dodgers and silver green and green and chartreuse spin n glos. And white glow Gold Star dodgers and white glow spin n glos.
The Chinook salmon are coming on Pro Troll UV mixed veggie flasher and wild fern flies on 200 and 300 copper. The high dipsy divers with flashers and meat have … [Read more...]

Capt. Ron Westrate, Director SLM, reports from First Call ll .
The creel this past week consisted of 99% lake trout and an occasional salmon or steelhead. The best fishing early in the week was 70 to 80 foot of water, however, by the weekend the best depth was the 90 to 100 foot depth. The fishing is still very good with morning charter creel numbers in the teens and afternoon charters producing numbers of 6 to 10 fish.
The best method continues to be metal dodgers and spin n glos on the bottom for the lake trout and meat rigs 50 to 70 foot down for the salmon. We have been running the outdowns and low divers on the bottom and the middle rigger and the high divers 50 to 70 foot down. There has been very little action with the copper, although we are running 200, 300 and 400 foot of copper every time out.
Perch fishing this past week was poor with reports of 6 to 20 fish but many boats failed to catch any perch but all the golbies you would want. Pier fishing was very … [Read more...]

Capt. Ron Westrate, Director SLM, reports from First Call ll .
This past week produced some very good fishing with a mixed catch of lake trout and a few salmon in the creel. 90 to 100 foot of water produced lake trout on the bottom and salmon (up to 12 pounds) 40 to 60 foot down.
The lake trout continues to be caught on metal Gold Star dodgers with silver/green, green/chartreuse Spin n Glos. The salmon were hitting Rapture fly meat rigs on the high divers at 180 and 200 foot. Also we did catch slamon on 200 and 300 foot of copper with Pro Troll silver/mountain dew and mixed veggie UV flashers with green hypnotist and wild fern Rapture flies.
Sunday I saw the first good catch of perch. The fishermen had about 40 perch and a couple looked like walleye and exceeded 12 in. The fish were caught in 45 to 50 foot of water and this was the best perch catch I have seen in a couple of years. I hope this continues.
For more information or to book a fishing charter, email me … [Read more...]

Capt. Ron Westrate, Director SLM, reports from First Call ll .
What a change in three days. We went from trips catching 15 to 20 fish per trip to 5 to 8 fish per trip. After east and north winds during the week, the water cooled down and Saturday the water at the piers was 44 degrees. We caught some salmon out in 165 to 175 foot of water one day and the next day they were gone. We caught the limit of lake trout in 70 to 80 foot one day and two days later they were scarce. In addition, the stomach contents of the lake trout, early in the week, were predominately golbies and by the end of the week it was almost 100% alewife. Either the golbies left the area or the lake trout moved out or in to different water. The water changed, the bait supply changed and the fish scattered.
The salmon are scattered from 20 foot down to 60 foot down and we caught them on high divers at 100 foot and on 100 foot, 200 ft. and 300 ft. of copper on flashers and flies and stingray lures. The … [Read more...]

Capt. Ron Westrate, Director SLM, reports from First Call ll .
Fishing continues to be very good with two areas producing the best
results. There continues to be a lot of fish in the 65 to 90 foot of
water depth, however there are some decent catches in the 150 to 180
foot depth. In the shallower water the catch continues to be
predominately lake trout with an occasional salmon and steelhead. In
the deeper water we are finding more salmon (up to 15 pounds) and some
steelhead mixed in. The salmon and steelhead in this area are scattered
and you have to do some looking to find them, however the salmon are
good size here and if you find the bait you will find the salmon.
When fishing the inside water, the lake trout are are still being caught
with metal Gold Star dodgers and Green and White/Glow Spin n Glos on the
bottom. The salmon are coming on the 150 and 200 copper with Craigs
Christmas and UV Watermelon Stingrays.
When fishing the deeper water run … [Read more...]

Capt. Ron Westrate, Director SLM, reports from First Call ll .
Tuesday May 19, about 20 charter and private boats took the Saugatuck Middle School 6th Grade class (about 67 students) on a fishing excrusion on Lake Michigan. The 6th grade class has been participating in the Salmon In The Classroom project during the year and the fishing trip was a reward given to them by the Lakeshore Charter Boat Association and private fishing members in the Saugatuck area. Even though there were high winds and seas and temperatures below 50 degrees, about 60 fish were caught during the outing. With the inclimate weather, some boats never made it out and no one fished over 2 hours. On returning to port, the catch was cleaned and Allegan Ducks Unlimited fried up the catch for students, staff and crews. All the students were then presented with a rod and reel thanks to the charter boat association, Huntington Bank and Shimano Tackle. Thank you to all that participated and donated there time to … [Read more...]

Fishing is picking up on The Joe! Water still a little dirty and leaves were a challenge this past weekend! Team Lil Ho was fortunate to muster a team 3 fish limit to win the Battle Creek Steelheaders River Tournament over the Thanksgiving weekend! Also taking the Big Fish with a 9.14 Buck Steelie! #YakiamaMagLip took the 2 large fish and the skipper came on spawn! I credit #OkumaLowProfile LC for helping keeping the right length for less leaves and getting bit! Thanks BC Steelheaders for hosting! ... See MoreSee Less

BeautiesBig ones 2 at a time! I have a few days left in November and December but not many. My January and February are mostly open as of now for those that like good fishing and do not mind the cold. 616-570-2946 ... See MoreSee Less

At our annual business meeting Captain Mike Darke received an award for "Acts of Heroism and Bravery".

"On behalf of fellow members of the Ludington Charter Boat Association and Michigan Charter Boat Association in recognition of bravery and heroism. On July 18, 2017, Mike and his crew aboard Lie A Lot Charters, rescued five people from their burning and sinking boat on Lake Michigan waters, near Ludington Michigan. His quick thinking actions and servant attitude saved the lives of these individuals." ... See MoreSee Less

I'm disappointed that they don't open the weirs back up on the Little Manistee. Past several years there have been no salmon or steelhead getting through upstream to naturally spawn. Very Sad. Who is responsible for keeping the Weir closed ??

Doug, Jerry, and Steve from the Ann Arbor and Lewiston area had a great afternoon on the big pond. 5 different species hit the deck including 4 Kings, 2 Steelhead, an Atlantic Salmon, a giant 15# Sheephead, and an uneducated seagull. What a mess the bird made with tangling up 7 lines before we got it straightened out. The crew left with some fine eating fillets for the table. We we definitely be chasing some more of these delicious treats very soon. Mixed bag Fishing at it's finest. Tight Lines All. CBC

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